Process and apparatus for concentrating solutions



1942- c. v. ROWELL' 2,292,483

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR CONCENTRATING SOLUTIONS Filed Aug. 31, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet l 49 o 5/ 47 47 P 52 48 i 53% i 55AM 63 5 57 F/G.2.

CT I/ 7/ 0Wci// 11, 1942- c. v. ROWELL PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR CONGENTRATING SOLUTIONS Filed Aug. 31, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 llllllllllllllllllll'llllllllIvlll-Iu' 'lI'll I'll ll'lllllllllllllllllll'lllllllllllll'lllll-l V. QM PM Aug. 11, 1942. v RQWELL 2,292,483

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR CONCENTRATING SOLUTIONS Filed Aug. 31, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Aug 11, 1942. c. v. ROWELL 2, 9

PROCESS AND APPLRATUS FOR CONCENTRATING SOLUTIONS 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 31, 1939 177M617 Zr; (K K pa we 2 Aug 11, I942. cjv. ROWELL 2,292,483

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR CONCENTRATING SOLUTIONS Filed Aug. 51, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Aug. 11, 1942 PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR CONCENTRATING SOLUTIONS Charles Victor Rowell, Bur-wood, near Sydney,

New South Wales, Australia I Application August 31, 2.939, Serial No. 292,956

In Australia September 9, 1938 Claim This invention relates to a process and apparatus for concentrating solutions containing solids by vaporisation of the solvent constituent thereof, and more particularly for concentrating solutions in which the solute product is a substance of viscous or pasty or glutinous character. Thus, for instance, prominent utility of the invention is the concentration of molasses to a condition of high density at which, after subsequent cooling, it will become so far solidified that blocks of it will substantially retain their shape in normal climatic exposure for substantial periods,

' whereby necessity for packing in cans or barrels for transport and handling is obviated. Other notable uses are concentration of milk, concentration of sugar Juice without resort to the use of a series of steps, and concentration of blood, gelatin, and other substances in which water is the solvent element.

In the concentration of most substances of the kinds above mentioned, more particularly when the solute is reduced to a highly concentrated condition, several practical difficulties are encountered. When heat is applied to a body of any such substance through the wall of the concentrating vessel or through heated surfaces over which it flows, a temperature gradient is de veloped, as the temperature at the heating surface must be raised to a much higher point than is necessary for vaporislng the solvent, because the rate of heat transmission through the mass of material is slow and is retarded by the presence of bubbles of vapour dispersed through it which move only slowly to its exposed surface, there to escape. This lethargic release of vapour from the mass under treatment is the principal factor in prolonging the operation and necessitating the raising of 'the temperature at the heat transfer surfaces, with consequent risk of char-' ring and other undesirable results.

The time required for effecting concentration of solutions which contain viscous solutes cannot be abridged in existing processes without risk of injuring the product by charring or other heat effect. Thus, for the concentration of molasses to a high density, so that when cooled it will set quite hard and may be transported otherwise than in tins, barrels, or other such liquid-tight containers, heat treatment must be carried on for several hours, even when the concentration is conducted in a high vacuum, whereas by the present invention the time required is reduced to a few minutes.

In previously known processes, excessive frothvapour is in most cases an additional limiting condition on speedy concentration.

I am aware that separation and fractionation of liquids containing solids, and stratification of mixed liquids of different gravities is in some cases effected by centrifugal action. In the case of sugar concentrates, for instance, molasses is separated from sugar crystals by centrifuging, the sugar crystals being retained in a perforate basket or bowl in which the centrifuging is effected. In the case of mill: and other free flowing emulsions, gravity difference between the respective constituents is augmented by centrifugal action, and the separated liquids are delivered separately out of the separator machine.

The present invention pertains to a process which is performed in a centrifuge and provides means whereby rapid release of vapour from the concentrating mass is effected, frothing is suppressed, entrainment of liquid with the discharged vapour is prevented, and temperature is substantially equalised throughout the concentrating mass and is not raised substantially above the point necessary for vaporising the solvent element.

Owing to the high pressure in the material which results from centrifugal action, vapour generated in the material under treatment during centrifuging is forced out through the exposed surface of the material immediately it is formed, and consequently conductance of heat throughout the concentrating mass is not impeded by retention of bubblestherein.

The apparatus is adapted for operation under pressure or at normal pressure or under sub-atmospheric pressure. In the case of vacuum operation, the liberated vapours are educted more rapidly, and the temperature at which vaporisation is effected is reduced so that risk of scorching or otherwise subjecting the treatment material to heat injury is minimised. Heat is preferably applied by the electric resistance method ill which electrodes are immersed in the mass of treatment material, and electric current is caused to pass from one electrode to the other through the material; for this application special apparatus is provided as hereinafter described with reference to the drawings which are attached hereto.

The process features of the invention are defined below in the description of the apparatus.

In the accompanying drawings- Fig. 1 is a view showing a concentrator suitable for continuous operation with intermittent dising and entrainment of liquid with the rejected charge, and wherein the material under treat- 2 ment is heated by employing the material itself or an ingredient thereof as an electric resistance element:

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary section of a bowl and elecrtliode forming part of the arrangement shown in 1;

Fig. 3 is a section showing a concentrator of similar type to that shown in Fig. 1. wherein the centrifugal bowl is adapted for operation while open to the atmosphere;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged section of the bowl shown in Fig. 3. showing an arrangement of heating electrodes and conductors:

Fig.5isafragmentarysectionshowingtheair inlet passages in the door of the bowl shown in Fig.6isapartlysectinedelevationofanartangent illustrating means for intermittent withdrawal of the treated material.. and the jacket for the outlet passages from the bowl casing.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional detail of portion of the withdrawal means shown in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged section of the upper poron of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional'view of a bowl forming part of the arrangement shown in Fig. 6; 10 is a fragmentary plan of an electrode a fragmentary plan of the floor of bowl shown in Fig. 9;

and l3areviewsof busbarsusedin grouping of positive electrodes; 1 elevation of a floating brush carpart of the arrangement shown in Fig. '8: and

is a plan projected from Hg. is.

to Figs. 1 and 2, a bowl 41 k rotatably a casing ll on ahollow spindle stpassingthroughaglandllinthetopofthe ll has'a conical bottom it withaneductionpipels endinginadischarge valve II. The bottom II and pipe II are kept hot bywaterretainedinajacketflAhewaterbeing heated and circulated by a heating element ll.

Thebowl il isopen endedandislinedwithinsulating material ll, round the inside of which electrodes it are placed in a helical arrangement. The current supply is polyphase-and each length of electrode includes one turn or a portion of a turnof the helix; bythis arrangementthephases are in overlapping operative relation to one another. Current is supplied through brushes and slip rings at ii. and the conductors (not shown) extend down the hollow spindle it to the electrode terminals at N. In operation. the material entersthroughthepipell andisspray dontothe walls of the bowl by the thrower I. The materialthendescendsthewallofthebowiasa helicai strip lying between the electrodes to a radialdepthdeterminedbyaweirring" atthe bottom of the bowl. said ring Q0 being of greater internal diameter than the el es. The water content of the material forms a conductor between the electrodes. and the resulting heating of the material evaporates said water and other volatiles which are withdrawn from the casing I by any suitable-means. As the helix descends. its pitch is reduced to oiiset the increased resistance of the material due to reduction of its water content. so to maintain equal current in the phases. The operation is across phases, a neutral being provided at '2 for safety.

Referring to Figs. 3, 4 and 5, a bowl I is rotatably siupended on a hollow spindle It. Within s,ses,ses

the bowl. conductive sleeve rings 01 and II are concentrically had in metallic contact with the bottom of the bowl. and insulating material I. is placed on the inner faces of the rin s '1 and Cl and on the inner face of the wall of the bowl ll. Ring electrodes are positioned upon the insulating material, the electrodes and insulating material being fixed to their relative supporting members by insulation cleats II and bolts 1i. Leads II from brushes and slip rings 12 pass down the spindle l4, and are brought up through insulators I! in the bottom of the bowl to the electrodes. One phase lead is connected to positive electrode It. the negative electrode 'll for which is bolted to the ring is; a second phase lead is connected to the podtive electrodes 18 and I! for which the negative electrode is connected to the ring II by the bolts II, and a third phase lead is connected to the positive electrodes II and 02 for which the negative electrodes II are connected by bolts to the wall of the bowl ii. Air may be induced upwardly into the bowl through holes I in the bottom. by means of scoop blades is attached to the bottom of the bowl. Short ferrules It may be used in the holes I to prevent spillage.

In operation. material is supplied through a pipe .I and falling to the bottom of the bowl 6! near the centre thereof is thrown outwardly.

mounting the first wall and bridging the electrodes ll and II; thence flowing over the top I! it is thrown outwardly under a collar is of insulating material on to the positive electrode Is. It then flows downwardly over the negative electrode II and the postive electrode ll and thence to the nipples l3. through which it is projected to the outside wall. The material then mounts the outside wall. passing alternately over the positive electrodes II and I2 and the negative electrodes l3, and is nnally discharged over the rim si into the circular trough IO.

During its progress through the bowl, the material is subjected to increasing centrifugal preasures. and as water is progressively evaporated from it by the heating, the positive and negative electrodes are placed at decreased distances apart in order to balance the phases. The bowl is h the neutral, the lead for which is connected at If. The air passing upwardly through the holes I4 is desirable in some cases. such as for the concentration of milk or tannic acid, where it is necessary to limit the temperature rise. The leads and connecting links are not submerged during the operation, as the electrodes are only thinly covered by the material, the depth of the him being about one thirty-second of an inch.

In the arrangement shown in Figs. 6 to 15, the rotatable bowl I! is suspended on a spindle it whichis driven by a motor 01 through a flexible couplingflofaknowntype. Abandbrake ill is applied to the driven member I! of the coupling to facilitate stopping the bowl. The weight ofthebowlil'iscarriedonabalithmstbearing ill arranged within an inverted cone-shaped housing ill. The housing is supported by a seating Ill mounted on the frame "I. Between the housing I and seating Ill, a butler i" of resilient material is interposed to provide against possible gyration of the bowl during operation. The spindle ll extends downwardly, passing through a gland I into a sealed casing ill surrounding the bowl II. The gland III is water jacketed at ill and is flexibly carried by resilient Joint rings I" upon a dame III in the frarnim Ill. An assembly ill of slip rings with brushes and brush carriers isplaced on the spindle ll,

and comprises rings A, B, C and; a neutral N. Brushes (not shown) are carried on bars I56 supported on the rotatable rocker I61. The rocker is split diametrically and carries a projection I68 which engages with a lug I 88 on the inner face of the frame I85. As the spindle 88 turns only in one direction, the rocker is prevented from rotating with it but is free to move in response to vibrations of the bowl 95. Insulated conductors II2 are carried downwardly from the phase rings in grooves cut in the spindle 86. The spindle is increased in diameter at H8 to provide depth for the conductor grooves, and is errcased in a sheathing II4 where it passes through the gland I86 into the casing I81.

The bowl 85 is attached to the spindle 86 by a spider H6, and consists of a bottom plate II6, a banded cylinder H1, 2. cover plate H8, and a number of similar annular negative electrodes II9 within the cylinder H1 and in contact with it. The electrodes are positioned apart by bands I28 of equal height. Apertures I2I are cut in the charge chamber I42 and bottom plate II6 of the bowl as outlets for the treated material, the outer edges I22 ot the apertures being in vertical alignment with the inner edges of the negative electrodes I I8.

The positive electrodes I21 are supported by a spider I23 keyed at-I24 to the spindle 86, the spider arms terminating in upper and lower eyes I28 and I26, which are bored in line for a bolt I81 which is insulated by a sleeve I88. Upon the bolt I81 a number of support lugs I 28- for I the positive electrodes I21 are assembled, being The positive electrodes I21 are fiat and 0! split ring spaced apart by insulating thimbles I28.

form, and are bolted to the lugs I29 as shown at I88. At or near these junctions are welded studs I68, which are used for connection or the conductors H2, and of the busbars I32, I33, and I34 which are used for the purpose of grouping the electrodes. As shown in Fig. 9, the positive electrodes I21 are spaced midway between the negative electrodes I I! (the top and bottom plates I I8 and I I6 0! the bowl being negative) to provide equal distances between electrodes throughout. In order to; ensure equal current distribution between phases by way of counteraction to the increased resistance in the material under treatment due to the progressive reduction in water content, the amount of overlap between the positive and negative electrodes increases in downward progression. With the same object in view,

the positive electrodes are grouped to the several phases in the following manner: the'top two electrodes are connected by busbar I82 and are supplied through phase A; the next lower four positive electrodes are paralleled by bnsbar I88 and are connected to phase B, and the next six positive electrodes are paralleled by busbar I34 v and are connected to phase C. These arrangements maybe varied in any manner to produce the desired effect, for which purpose busbars as shown in Figs. -12 and 13 may be used. These bars are oflset at I35 to permit of connecting an electrode to one spaced from it without contacting with an intermediate electrode.

Material for treatment is introduced into the bowl 86 through a pipe I38 and tails onto a spreader I38 which is attached to the spindle 86 and is adapted to project the incoming material into the uppermost pocket between the electrodes. The material then flows downwardly over the negative electrodes filling the spaces therebetween, and submerging the edges of the positive electrodes bythe distance they extend into these spaces. Current passes from the positive to the negative electrodes, heating the material in its passage, water and lighter fractions being vaporised thereby in small bubbles. These bubbles pass rapidly inwardly to the surface or the material and are there liberated to the atmosphere within the casing I81, The treated material is thrown out through the apertures I2l a gainst the conical bottom I 48 of the casing I81; it'then passes through an intermediate valve I which is operatable by a handle I44, into a disis thence discharged through a valve I43.

With materials )ike molasses, which must be heated to remain fluid, the conical bottom 8 oi the casing I81 is jacketed and kept hot, as by steam passing through pipes I48 and I49. The discharge chamber I42 is also jacketed and supplied with heat through pipes I46 and I41.

When the treatment proceeds under vacuum induced through a .valve I54, the intermediate valve I is opened until the discharge chamber I42 is filled. It is then closed and the discharge admitted to the chamber I42 through a valve I52 to release the material when the valve I43'is opened. The casing I81 is provided with a. window I55 for observation.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for the purposes set forth comprising a cylindrical bowl with an inwardly disposed flange on its top end and vents in the bottom of it, a tier of horizontal flat electrode rings disposed around the interior face of its side wall in electrical communication with each other, a hollow bowl-suspending spindle provided with means for rotating it, brackets fixed on said spindle, a plurality of vertical studs supported on said brackets within the bowl, a tier of electrode rings mounted on but insulated from said studs and positioned to project into the spaces intermediate the bowl wall ring electrodes, electric return and supply leads brought down through said spindle and connected respectively to said wall electrode rings and to said bracket-carried electrode rings, a thrower discflxed on the spindle immediately under the top of the bowl and above the electrode ring assembly, and means for continuously supplying liquid into said disc whereby it will be thrown towards the bowl wall and caused to ilow downward in a. zig-zag course traversing between the electrode rings while the bowl is in rotation, and will surfer resistance heating by electric current flowing between the opposed electrodes during its descent along the bowl wall to discharge radially through the vents in the bowl bottom.

2. The apparatus defined in claim 1 arranged for operation on tri-phase electric supply and characterised in that the bowl wall electrodes are all connected to the neutral line and the three-phase lines are respectively connected to the bracket-carried electrodes in groups of two. four, and six, thereby to increase the current transmission through and the resistance heating effect on the liquid under treatment in correnon-contactingiy interleavedbetween the bowlwall electrodes, the interleaved area or the successive electrodes in each tier progressively increasing toowards one end of the said tiers.

anda

ments being in communication with each other alternately below and above the respective dieso as to direct the liquid upwardly and downwardly through them alternately while contacting with said rinss. and means for continuously supplying a liquid into the central comartment. the electric supply connections beins soarrsnse thatthecurrentpathsarethrouah the liquid which is flowing hrough the compartments successively, and said rinss bein: spaced so that resistance heatins is maintained approximately uniform throushout the nowins liquid.

to claim 5. havins the on. the upper part the bowl spindle and havin: the electrode rinss so spliced and the line connections thereto so arranged that the current paths through the walls of liquid in which the electrodes are immersed are shorter in the outer annular com artment than in the inner compartments oi the bowl.

7. The rocess or concentrating a liquid solution by extracting vaporisable substances therefrom which consists in, establishins a hollow rotatins liquid body of annular crossshape by centrifugal iorce, and current throush said liquid body by means 0! electrodes immersed therein thereby internally heatins said liquid to cause vaporization.

8. The prouss oi concentratina a liquid solution by extractins va substances therefrom which consists in. establishind a hollow ro body or annular cross-sectional shape by centritusal force, continuously addind liquid tooneendoisaidliquidbodysothatsdd liquid body constitutes a part 0! a continuous! 01 said liquid. and passina electric current throush said liquid body by means of electrodes immersed therein thereby internallyheatinasaidliquidbodytocausev 9. The process of concentratina a liquid solution by extracting vaporiaable substances therefrom which consists in. centriiusally establishin: a hollow liquid body within a rotatins bowl. maintainina the hollow interior of said liquid body under partial vacuum. and assins current throuah said liquid body by means of electrodes immersed therein thereby internally heatinz said liquid buiy to cause vaporization.

10. The process of eoncentratina a liquid solution by extracting vaporisable substances therefrom which consists in. oenti'iiugally establishind a hollow liquid body within an open ended rotatinz bowl. continuously adding liquid to one end 0! said liquid body. maintainina the hollow interior of said liquid body under partial vacuum, and passina current through said liquid body by means of electrodes immersed therein thereby internally heatinl said liquid body to cause vaporization.

CHARLES VICTOR HOWELL. 

